Video: Harvesting Arnica Cordifolia in Washington's North Cascades

Submitted by Michael Pilarski on May 28, 2017 - 4:13pm

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I am an avid wildcrafter. In this new video, filmed May 23rd, 2017, I share how and when to harvest Heartleaf Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) and then I sing an ode to the Arnica. There are several hundred thousand acreas of Arnica blooming in North Central Washington this year because of all the forest fires in 2015 and 2016. Arnica oils, creams and salves are used topically to treat sprains, bruises, and muscle pain. Diluted tinctures of arnica can be used in foot baths (1 teaspoon of tincture to a pan of warm water) to soothe sore feet.

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MICHAEL “SKEETER” PILARSKI is a life-long student of plants and earth repair. His farming career started in 2nd grade and his organic farming career began in 1972 at age 25. Michael founded Friends of the Trees Society in 1978 and took his first permaculture design course in 1982. Since 1988 he has taught 36 permaculture design courses in the US and abroad. His specialties include earth repair, agriculture, seed collecting, nursery sales, tree planting, fruit picking, permaculture, agroforestry, forestry, ethnobotany, medicinal herb growing, hoeing and wildcrafting. He has hands-on experience with over 1000 species of plants. He is a prolific gathering organizer and likes group singing.